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Now displaying: September, 2018

Future of Agriculture 120: Data to Improve Aquaculture Farms with Tony Chen of Manolin 0

Sep 27, 2018

Tony Chen is the Co-Founder of Manolin Inc., a new startup in the aquaculture space. Manolin is a software company that aims to accelerate resource sharing between salmon farms as well as prevent and manage sea lice outbreaks through digital health management. Before co-founding Manolin, Tony was developing software for the U.S. government and was only interested in aquaculture as a hobby. His fascination grew to new heights when he discovered how oyster farming works and the plight of its farmers.

Tony joins me today to share his thoughts on aquaculture and why he thinks it’s going to radically change the way we look at agriculture in the near future. He explains what aquaculture is all about, how he believes it can contribute to solving the world food production crisis, and how their company aims to help ocean farmers. He discusses some of the issues of aquaculture and how they tie with the ocean’s current problems. He also describes why they worked with HATCH among other startup accelerators in the industry.

“Aquaculture is another industrial revolution and the world is starting to recognize that.” - Tony Chen

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is Aquaculture and how can it impact the future of agriculture?
Why he focused on Aquaculture despite having a degree in Computer Science from MIT.
What is Manolin and what do they aim to do?
Their clients and what their operation might look like.
Why they pursued a partnership with the startup accelerator HATCH.
The challenges and benefits of being a U.S. company operating in a foreign country.
His advice to startups planning to work with accelerators.
Why people need to pay more attention to aquaculture.
How their app works and what it can provide to its users.

Key Takeaways:

We're at a stage where there is an opportunity for regeneration in the ocean.
Knowing what's happening at a nearby farm is just as important as what's happening at your specific farm.
The lack of aquaculture is one of the larger problems when you think about food production globally.

Resources Mentioned:

HATCH

Connect with Tony Chen:

Manolin
Manolin Aqua
Email: tony@manolinaqua.com

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The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

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Future of Agriculture 119: Stories from the Soil with Jim Loar of Cool Planet 0

Sep 20, 2018

Jim Loar is CEO and President of Cool Planet, an innovations company that seeks to improve upon the current agricultural technologies we have today to facilitate increased profits and crop production at a low cost in a sustainable manner. Jim has over 30 years of experience in the industry and worked with big corporations like Wilbur-Ellis Company and Griffin LLC. He has a Bachelor of Nautical Science from the United States Merchant Marine Academy and obtained his Master's degree in Business administration from Ohio University.

Jim joins me today to discuss his ideas around soil health and why he says it’s the future of agricultural innovations. He explains what soil health is and what exactly makes soil healthy. He introduces a new project called Stories From The Soil and describes its purpose and what he wants it to achieve. Jim also discusses how improving soil health benefits not only the environment but also the economy around the agricultural industry.

“Soil health really is the next evolution of agriculture.” - Jim Loar

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

Why is soil health so important in agriculture?
Why he began focusing on innovating soil for agricultural purposes.
The properties of healthy soil and what makes soil not healthy.
The tools available to the farmer to help make the soil healthy.
How Cool Planet plans to initiate the innovations of soil health.
The goal of launching "Stories From The Soil" and what you can expect from it.

Key Takeaways:

Farmers have always been focused on health and it's a priority that's passed to the next generation.
Improving soil health positively affects soil biology which translates to better crops and bigger profits.

Resources Mentioned:

Biochar with Jim Loar of Cool Planet

Connect with Jim Loar:

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram

Download this Episode

Future of Agriculture 118: Autonomous, Swarm-Enabled Tractors with Zack James of Rabbit Tractors 0

Sep 12, 2018

Zack James is the Founder of Rabbit Tractors, a team that designs and builds swarm-enabled, compact, and autonomous farm equipment. His company’s aim is to help farmers save time and money while increasing productivity. He has a degree in Finance from Indiana University’s Kelley School of Business and attended University of Michigan Law School with a focus on corporate governance and securities.

Zack joins me today to share his company’s ideas and solutions when it comes to increasing farm efficiency. He introduces the concept of Rabbit Tractors, describes how they developed the idea and explains how it can improve farm productivity. He also describes how they incorporated autonomy in their technology and how farmers can simply run their machines with smartphones.

“What autonomy will do is let us break the paradox of one farmer driving one tractor at a time.” - Zack James

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

What is Rabbit Tractors?
How Zack got the inspiration to start the company.
His unconventional background prior to starting his company.
How having smaller farm equipment can help farmers with their work.
How Rabbit Tractors products can help farmers save time and increase productivity
To what point is their technology autonomous?
Can Rabbit Tractors replace 100% of what farmers use?
The current status of Rabbit Tractors.
The qualities that made the company attractive to accelerators
Their current business focus and their plans for the future.

Key Takeaways:

Most ag tech companies have a great technology component but don't have a good delivery method for it.

Resources Mentioned:

AgLaunch

Connect with Zack James:

Rabbit Tractors
Email: zack@rabbittractors.com

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.

Share the Ag-Love!

Learn more about AgGrad by visiting:

Future of Agriculture Website

AgGrad Website

AgGrad on Twitter
AgGrad on Facebook
AgGrad on LinkedIn
AgGrad on Instagram

Download this Episode

Future of Agriculture 117: Bridging the Gap Between AgTech Entrepreneurs and Farmers with Pete Nelson of AgLaunch 0

Sep 5, 2018

Pete Nelson is the President and Executive Director of AgLaunch, an agriculture accelerator that supports startups that innovate food and provide sustainable solutions. He has over twenty years of experience as a farmer, writer, consultant, speaker, and entrepreneur emphasizing farm-based innovation technologies and models. He has worked with a variety of public and private sector partners building a support ecosystem for new ag companies.

Pete joins me today to discuss what AgLaunch is about and how they work with new entrepreneurs in the industry. He shares his background and what inspired him to start AgLaunch and explains the problems farmers encounter when choosing which companies to invest in. He also describes the kind of startups they prefer to partner with - especially when it comes to AgTech.

“There is a lack of calibration between what is needed on the farm and the solutions coming forward.” - Pete Nelson

This Week on The Future of Agriculture Podcast:

An overview of what AgLaunch is all about
Pete's role in the early-stage startups they help.
How agriculture is different from other industries regarding
Farmers’ perspectives on the current state of AgTech.
What it takes to grow the ecosystem to where it needs to be.
How AgLaunch selects and works with entrepreneurs.
The kind of technology or ideas AgLaunch would love to work with.
Why agriculture startups have difficulty "crossing the chasm."

Key Takeaways:

Ag startups aren’t adopted by clients as fast as startups in the tech world.
There are too many agriculture startups to choose from, and farmers have a hard time choosing which ones to invest in.

Resources Mentioned:

GroGuru

Connect with Pete Nelson:

AgLaunch
Twitter
Email: PNelson@Aglaunch.com

We Are a Part of a Bigger Family!

The Future of Agriculture Podcast is now part of the Farm and Rural Ag Network. Listen to more ag-related podcasts by subscribing on iTunes or on the Farm and Rural Ag Network Website today.